Electric telpher postal system.



No. 828,678. PATBNTED AUG. 14, 1906. R. T. PISGIGELLI.

ELECTRIC TELPHER POSTAL SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 5. 1902.

9 SHEETS-SHEET X.

A r MHA/fx@ No. 828,678. PATBNTED AUG, lll, 1906. R. T. PSCIELLI.ELECTRG TELHRR PSTAL SYSTEM.

Y .Y E, 6l?. IMQ 4 i u i PATENTED AUG.14, 1906.

APPLIUATION FILED SEPT. 5. 190Z.

E SHEETS-SHEET 3.

PATBNTED AUG. 14, 1906.

R. T. PSCIGELLI.

ELECTRIC TELPHER POSTAL SYSTEM.

APPLIUATION FILED SEP'1'-5, 1902.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 4,

No. 328,673.V TATBNTED AUS. 14. 190s, R. T. TTSSTCBLLL ELECTRIC TBLPHTRPOSTAL SYSTEM.

APPLIUATIOH FILED SEPT. 5, 1902.

9 SHEETS-SHEET B Imm/fm PTENTBD AUG. 14. 1906.

R. T. PISGIGELL. ELECTRIC TELPHER FSTAL SYSTEM.

AYPLXUATI' TILBD SEPT. 5,1902.

`9 BBEETS-BHBBT 'l'A Eig. .9

5"? 4 7 1 1 Q5 2?: :'15 "5o Q5 9L 2 K 2 2:5 g3 gg 50 26 24 1' 1 WWA/susgi. 2 /m/fA/raf? l Y ezfo 'Tayyfi'scce? No. 828,678. PATENTBD AUG. 14,1906. R. T. PISGIGBLLI. ELECTRIC TELPHEB. POSTAL SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 5. 1902.

9 BHBETS'SHEET i.

TOR/Vini UNITED s'rAifns" PATENT OFFICE.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 14, 1906.

Application led September 5, 1802. Serial No. 122.205.

To all whom if may concern:

Bc it known that I, ROBERTO 'heeel Pls- CICELLI, engineer, a sublect ofthe King of Ital and a resident of Naples, Ital f, Corso Um rto I. No.23, have invente a new Electric Telpher Postal System, of which thefollowing is a full, clear, and exact description.

The object of the resent invention is to provide :mechanical evices,acting for the mostl part automatically, by means of whlch thecorrespondence introduced in thepost# ing-boxes erected in -various .anddistant points of a postal district is rapidly collected and carried tothe central oflice. To obtain this eiect,the collection ofthecorrespondence is effected by means of small vehicles driven by electricmotors and running over special aerial lines used exclusivel f for thispurpose and made of insulated meta licwires or ca. les, which act asguides to the vehicles and as conductors of the electric current.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part ofthis specification, in which similar numerals of reference indicatecorresponding parts in all the figures.

Figures l and 2 show, respectively, a side elevation and a plan of n ccectingbox; Fig. 3, e vertical section of e collecting-pole Figs. 4, 5,and 6, two sectional views at right angles of the hase of acollecting-pole and a plan view of thc same on a large scale. 7 and Sshow, on a large scale, the details o the top ofthe collecting-pele.Fig. 9 is a plan of the above. Fig. l0 is a diagram of the connectionsof the low-potential line, over which the collecting-boxes run, themotor driving the post-box, and the commntator. Figs. 11 and L! show inelevation and plan the errnngement of the levers causing the commutntorto not. Finis. 13, 14, and 15 are respectively side, 'fron t, and planviews of the electric romnmtntor causing the movement of the pest-box.Fig. 16 shows diagrammaticolly the connection of the posting-boxes withthe central station.

The central pcst-ollicc 63 is connected to the posting-boxes 64, erectedin the limits of the postal district for the convenience of the uhlic,hy menus of nerinl lines, over whie i rmi the collecting lumen. )achlino stai-ris from tlu` control [mst-ollicc, connects svverul p1sting-hoses, mul nous lmck to thc central station, thus nmmmplishing itsround. The servico of ihc c:nllozting-lmxcs should be regulated insuch emanner as to never allow more than a single vehicle being at one time oneach line in order to prevent any shock between two collecting-boxesrunnin on the same line.

phase current from transformers laced at the central ost-o{lice, whichavoi s the necessity for t e line wher-ecn the vehicles Arun to beaccompanied by a hi h-potential line.

Every line consists of on y three metallic wires, two, 1 1", Figs. I and2, on the higher level, and one, 2, on the lower one, all acting asconductors of the electric current and at the same time as supporters ofthe wheels of the vehicles. The current passes from the three wires ofthe line to the motors through the Wheels of the vehicles and thecontactroller fixed on the lower part of the box.

The ports 65 of the lines at their end near the central office and thoseincluding a post collectin pole are deprived of current, owing to thecol ecting-hoxes having to stop succes sively above each post-collectngcle, and at the end of their run inl the centrsfoliee. To cnt oil` thecurrent from each of such arts of the line, it will be enough toelectrica y insulate the. ends of the two conductors, over which thewheels of thc vehicles aref'running, at the two oles supporting sucharts, because it s ces to interrupt two o the condoctors to revent anycurrent passing on the line. nally in order that the two arts of theline immediately preceding and ollowing the aboveinsnlatcd art may befed by current it will be cnougli to connect, by means of inde endcntwires 66, the ends oi the two partso theline comprisingthe insulatedconduct-or.

A collecting-box consists of n rectangular fra-lne 3, supported on fourwheels 4 4 5 5, Figs. l amd 2., which run over the two higher wires l l'of the line. The two fore wheels 4 are of a larger dianwter and keyed onthe axle of the electric motor (i and not us driving wheels, while thetwo heck ones. 5,1u't only ns guides. The longitudinal hors of the frame3 nre litted with bosses 7, on which lwo pivots are screwed, the ends ofwhich support thc box 8.

The cullwiingdmx in llw shape of n pro longed p vrmnidnl lnuly is openon lop und hangs mtween Iho two nlnwe-umotioned hors. ltis so lmlmu-mlthnl il` hns n von stool. tendency to place ilsvll in n vvrtiviilposition, which it nssulm-s on arriving :shove u e lines are fed by alow-potential three- .l

IIO

l l i jsfition and-resume its inclined'position. he

Y fore part ofthe box willthus entera metallicl t e 1 .i cover1'0,`fixedonthe rods connect'A wheels of the vehicle, .which is so shapeand cover would do, thus preventingrain-'water v `from entering.`Further-fin order to render 'l the'b'ox is ittedwith aiange 1 1,.itt1ngthe cover and" leaving no intervalthrough which raincould pel-colateinto the box.

A post-collecting pole, as 'seen in Fig. 3, I. consists of an ironcolumn V12, covered with 1 2 5 Viron plates to prevent rain entering.'By Igj '1 means fof stepsA placed onone of-its sides a Vv'vorlrman cango up to ins ectjthe mechanismnnd b means'of situa doors on one of g thefaces o saidcoluinn he can look inside it. 3o *Inside the.collecting-poles are arranged Qi-,ff f various-devices which arehereinafter particularly described.

, First. .The box 1,3 for ordinary. letters posted by the public,'running in the collectlng-Eole, which will be hereinafter referred to Y as't e postingbox, is moved by a steelwire rope 14, guided b two groovedpulleys, oneof which, 15, is p aced at the bottom of the pole, and theother,16, at its to It is 4o evident that the posting-box will ecompolled to go up or down according to the direction ofthe pull exertedon the steel rope. In its normal positionv the posting-box remains atthe-bottom of the pole and at such 'a level v 45 as to allow letters todrop into it after they f have passed through Vthe posting-o ening. Theposting-box is connectedwit the rope by a frame 17, t'o which it ispivoted below its center. The box is uided up and down 5o four smallguide-ro s 18, as shown in 1 lgs. 4 5 6. These rolls run over guides 19,which widen out at their highest points, compallina the posting-box toturn over and drop t e correspondence into the collectingbox 8 throu h ahopper20.

lSecond. he motor'21 (seen in Fig. 5) is a [small threeaphase electricmotor driving the flower pulley 15, over which runs the rope 14,hoisting the postingbox. The connection between the motonZl andthepullev conlsts of gear-wheels for reducing the speed.

. bird wire A2.0i theline. .The other two are 65 n communication -with aeommutator 23,

" `rails above the post-collecting poletothe. Y"vi'll'es it willnecessarily leave lts vertical o.

disposed esto Afitfthe box just like `a fixed,

the closing perfectly tight, the fore part of` One terminal 22 ofthemotor (sec'Fig. 10) is nfvumnterrupted communication with the.

ebae're situated on the top of the pole. These last two terminals can beconnected one way or the other with the wires 1 l of the aerial line,causing the motor to revolve either way. Third. The head ofthecollecting-pole (see Figs. 7, 8, and 9) has two rails 24 slight]inclined forward, to which are joined theli wires l l. Each of theserails is made of two U-shaped irons, with an interval between them. Thelower wire 2 is cut ofi' in order to allow the collecting-box, when onthe top of the collectin ,-pole, to place itself in a vertical position.urthermore, there is in the top of the post-colleeting` ole thefollowing apparatus: The automatic stop for: the collectlng-boxes,acting only when one of them is arriving at," the collecting-pole, astarting ap- Earatusfor the collecting-boxes after they ave taken in thecorrespondence; an electriefcommutator 23 for controlling thc motordriving the postin box.

The stop intened 'for stopping automaticallythe collecting-box when itarrives at the collecting-pole iscomposed of two blocks 25, each of themslidin in a vertical plane parallel to the rails in the intervalsbetween the two U-shaped irons. The wheels of the collecting-box arestopped when the two blocks vrise over the rails. A Another part of the-sto consists of. two pieces 26 in the intervals o the rails, whichbeing controlled by springs 27 are de ressed onthe arrival of acollecting-box an afterward rise again, thus preventing it from goingback at the momentit shocks a ainst the blocks 25. V 'The two sto s whenin t eir usual position rise up above t e rails and are kept so bylevers 28, with counterweights -29 preventin an arriving box fromrunningfarther( he can, however, be mechanically lowered. 'lyo do this, thereis a contrivance consistingof two pulleys 30,V keyed on a single axle31, havin keyed on its end a counterweight-arm 32, t e movement ofvwhich is limited. On these two pulleys are wound two thinsteel-.wireropes 33, running over guidepulleys 34 and tied to theblocks25. When the axle 31 turns, the pulleys 30wind up the ropes 33,and the blocks 25 are'compelled to move downward in their guides,clearing the way. There is on the axle 31 a lever 35, tied by a rope 36to an arm 37, turning on a pivot 38. It is evident that when pressure isexerted from below on the end-39 of the lever 37 the tension of the rope36 will cease, and therefore no movement of the lever will take place.'If, on the contrary, a pressure is exerted from above on the end 39 ofthe lever 37, the lever 35`will he lowered. Thereby the exle 3l causesthe pulley 30 to turn and the blocks 25 to go down. A lug 40 (sec Figs.4 and 6) is iixed on one of the faces of the posting-box I3, so

-ns to meot tho end 39 of the level' 37 when `the posting-box goes up m'down.

lt is ovident, therefore, that when tho posting-hex IOO mov. ment.tthegexlegBllpostmgfbex gees-down between the line and the meter will becut.V They third @Inductor 2 ofthe line is eiweys; es stated, connectedte the third tennnal 22 ofthe motor. Whenaccileetng-bcxreeches Y a1@Meeting-pole, one of the pieces 26-in Yits downward movement causes theleverv 56 to :actors i 1.' ofthe line .Witheet 'Y ,tenielslssserie-@statuette end'therefefe hij, mg

emile-end PQStmg-bbxl testsuite-bex Geef-down-y-Eqn-t filmed :smiththe cteinfemmndthereb eheebnite @lieder 'fcjrlinde 4 6 two metallic rings 5lare fixed, on fg f .which two brushes52 rubLjThese brushes fgnrefinelectric communication with the two cnductorstf if oithefserial 'lineY0n the 'middle 'pent ci cylndehare contact-pieces "53','incommnnicetionwith the rings, as seen in Figgg'lg other brushes54,'eenneeted with tiieteifminnls :55 55'.of the `motor 21,driving-thejnosting-'bcm touch the contactie :es. l "It ,is evident,therefore, that when 'e .elwnteoylindr tumswund then at e meinyntjtheftwo-eendnetors 1 1' of xe-line ifespeetily in communication iththe w @minets ffsffth wm the ylindfwtinvintotu- 'fthe'ln' fill with'nnd46tnrns as Well. f. 'Ont e endsof ytlieelmnite" Aiiles"iuwxnginslatedsections before the cel-` lectingiioles, of .the conducting-sresAwhich. connect -thesections preceding and following the insulated ones;2. Collecting-boxes for use in an electric "postal system, consistingof: e frame 3 withtwo' pairs-(4,` 5) ofwheeis, a thmehasemrr" E tcrdxfivi-ng 'one aint of said wheel a cover tlfcnthe letterox, 8 fixed onsaid frame,

said box 8 hanging in the frame 3 and resting on slower centactroiier 9,substantially as described. 3. Collecting-boxes for use in an electricil'mstal system, consisting of n. frame with our wheels', running en thetwo u per wires l, l' of the aerial lines connecting t e collectingmies,n three-phase motor 6 on the axle of w ich are directly keyed the forewheels t of said frame 3, actin ns driving-wheels and contact-rollersand a etter-hcx 8 kept closed when running -lxy means of the third wire2 of the line, but openi by gravity when the support of this thi wwe isremoved, sultstantiell us described.

4. Collecting-poles containing u Restingbox i3 n meter 21 actuating sumeam n eummutntm' 23 controlling the meter und actuated by the arrivati ofn collecting-lynx, substanftielly s dcscrilmd. f- 5. In un electric.tclphcr gmstnl system, tlm

cs nnbinuticn ci u cnllectugqmle, u posting :3o

box 13, a frame 17 to which the box is pivoted near the bottom, rollers18 on the box, and vertical guides on the collecting-pole in which therollers run, which ides widen out at their highest points an compel thebox to turn over on reaching the top of the pole, substantially asdescribed.

6. In an electric telpher ostal system, the combination lwith the -co[acting-poles, the rails su ported on said poles, a nd the pivotedspring-brakes 26, of two shdln -blocks 25, and means by which said blocs are normall maintained-projecting above the rails, for t e purpose setforth.

7. In an electric telphcr ostal system, the combination with fthe colecting poles, the aerial line connecting said poles andhaving the u perlwires 1,1', and the lower wire 2, and t e pivotall -mounted'collecting-boxes which run on sai wires, of rails at the top of theoies connectedlwith the u per wires 1,

Fsaidline, the 4lcwerwire o said line being interrupted at a pointcorresponding with the rails to allow a collecting-box to assume avertical position, for the purpose set forth.

8. In an electric tel her postal system a collectin -pole, provi ed witha pivotaliymounte and vertically-movable postingbox, ides forsaid'postingfbox arranged-to permit the box to turn over when it reachesthe to of the ole, line-wires connected with the po e, a colecting-boxwhich runs on the line-wires, a three-phase motor 21 drivingthe posting-box, a commutator for said motor comprising a cylinder 46 ofinsulating material, fitted with two metal rin s 51, brushes 52 inpermanent` contact wit said rings, and in electric communication withthe upper wires l, l' of the line, two series of contact-pieces 53alternatively communicating with the two rin s 52, brushes 54 to makecontact with sai pieces and in communication with the terminals 55, 55'of the motor, a ratchet-wheel47 keyed on the axle of the cylinder 46, arocking lever 48 with a click 50 which rotates the ratchet-wheel and thecylinder-,thus crossing or internlpting the connections between theterminals of the motor and the wires of the line, and suitableconnections by means ofwhich the collecting-box on reaching t-he pole,and the posting-box on being turned over and on reaching its lowestposition at the base of the pole, rocks the lever and rotates thecylinder.

9. In an electric telpher ostal system, the combination with the aerialines, and the collccting-polcs of a self-pro clled collectingbox 8,which stops at ceci collecting-pole rails nt the top of thecollecting-pole, pivote( spring-brakes 26 normally projet-,ting above t.ic rails, a motor 2l, a eonunutator 23 for inverting or interrupting thecurrent in the motor, a cylinder with contact-pleins rot ata bly mountedin said ccmmntator, n rocking lever 48 for rotating said cylinder, andsuit able connections between the rocking lever 48 and the spring-brakes26 for the purpose of rocking the lever and rotating the cylinder of theconlmutator when the collecting-box stops at the top of the pole.

10. A collecting-pole for use in an electric telpher postal system,comprising a pivotally mounted osting-box 13, vertical guides 19 inwhich t e box is movable, a motor 21 for lifting said box, the saidguides being widened at their highest point to allow the box to turnover on its arrival at the top of the pole, a rod 58-against which thebox strikes 1n turning, a commutator 23 for inverting or interruptingthe current in the motor, a rocking lever 48 and a rotatable cylinder 46form ing part of said conimutator, and suitable connections between thelever 48 and the rod 58 by means of which the lever is rocked and thecylinder rotated when the box is turned over.

l1. A collecting-pole for use in an electric telpber postal systemcomprising a commutator 23 at the top of the pole, a motor 21 at itsbase a posting-box 13, a hoisting-rope 14 for the box actuated by themotor, a lug'59 fixed on the hoistin -rope, a rocking lever 48 and arotatable cy luder 46 forming part of the commutator, and suitabletransmission means by means of which the lug 59 operates the rockinglever 48 of the commutator and rotates the cylinder 46, on theposting-box reaching its lowest position at the base of thc po e.

12. In the 'collecting-poles of an electric telpher postal system, thecombination of projecting bloc-ks 25, launching-levers 41, a posting-box13 movable vertically, a hoisting-rope 14 for supporting the same, a lug40 on the ostingbox, and a swinging arm 37 adapte to be hit by the lug40 during the descent of the posting-box, the said arm, when hit by thelu first depressing the projecting blocks and tgben operating thelaunchlng-levers.

13. In an electric telpller postal system, the combination with acollectingole, and the aerial line of a collecting-box w ich runs on theaerial line, a posting-box having vertical movement in thecollecting-pole and mounted to turn to deliver the mail to thecollecting-box when the latter reaches the pole, n device for stoppingthe collecting-box at the pole, means controlled by the movement of theposting-box, for moving;r said stopping device to release thecollectinghox, und means also controlled hy the movement of theposting-box, for starting the collooting-box when released.

14. lu an electric telpher postal system, the comhilmt-ion with thencrml line, and the oollcctingcles connor-.ted to said line, of ccollectingox which runson snid liuc, a postv-box movable vertically ineach collectingpo e, a motor for actuating said posting-box, acommntator for said motor, suitable electric connections between thecommutator and the motor and the commutetor and the line, a rockinglever connected with the com- 'mutator, e device engaged and moved bythe collecting-box on its arrival at the collectingpole, an e connectionbetween the said de vice and the rocking lever of the commutator wherebythe comlnntator is moved to starty o-flerated by the box when the latterturns on its pivot.

16. In an electric tclpher postal system,

the combination with e collecting-pole, of a. 2 5

motor, a commutetol for the motor, e posting-box having verticalmovement in the collecting-pole and actuated by the motor, a rockinglever for the commutator, and

means whereby the rocking lever of the com- 3o mutator is operated, whenthe posting-box reaches its lowest position et the bese of the pole` tomove the commutator to stop the motor.

In testimony whereof l have signed this 35 specification in the presenceof two subscribmg witnesses.

Witnesses:

INGB. LETTERio Lanoon'r'm, A. Rozzr.

